Pet Priority: Dealing with Dog Separation Anxiety
As any dog owner will tell you, a dog is part of the family—its own human pack. Australia Pet Doors, the leading provider of pet doors in Brisbane, knows that these highly sociable animals prefer living in groups and often become anxious when separated from their owners.
Pet parents may feel guilt over leaving their dog home alone, especially a new dog adopted from the local pet shelter, but there are dog separation anxiety solutions to ensure your dog can look forward to or, at the very least, tolerate being left alone.
What Are the Symptoms of Dog Separation Anxiety?
If you have a pet that acts desperate for you to stay by his side, you probably already know dog anxiety symptoms. These include:
- Improper elimination. Dogs may urinate or defecate in the home. If this happens while you are still at home, it likely isn’t separation anxiety.
- Barking and howling. This type of behavior can’t be pinpointed to something other than being at home alone.
- Chewing, digging, and destruction. Not only is it a nuisance to come home and find your favorite pair of high heels have become a doggie chew toy or there’s shredded toilet paper covering the floor, it can lead to injury. Dogs may suffer from broken teeth, injured paws, and damaged nails.
- A confined dog in the home might attempt digging or chewing through the door or window, which can also result in injury.
What You Can Do to Prevent Dog Separation Anxiety
If you’ve ruled out medical problems and believe your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, you have options for how to act, according to the RSPCA of Australia:
- Change your routine. If your dog associates the jingle of your keys with you leaving him, it can cause anxiety. Habituate your dog to this sound so he becomes desensitized.
- Environmental changes. Provide things for the dog to do while you’re not around—such as the mental stimulation they need to occupy its mind—with a nice toy.
- Get some exercise in with the dog on a daily basis. A tired dog doesn’t have the energy to spare on pacing, howling, chewing, and so on.
If you have more questions about how to alleviate dog separation anxiety, contact Australia Pet Doors today!
Source